Morgan Motor Company is the longest established independent automotive manufacturer and they have announced the launch a very limited edition set of 8 production models – the Aero GT, which they are calling a “gloves off” variant of the Aero 8 which was first introduced in 2000. The absolute mind-blowing looks stem from its rich heritage and as a race-inspired Grand Tourer, it somehow manages to look both elegant and aggressive at the same time.

All bespoke Aero GT vehicles will be built by the Morgan Special Projects division and individually tailored to match the customer’s personal desires. Their special projects team are well established in the industry for producing vehicles with even greater levels of performance and exclusivity. Their ethos is to build each Aero GT as an individual special edition, rather than eight identical editions. Each customer will have the opportunity to receive an individual design consultancy from Jon Wells, Morgan’s Head of Design. The car will then enter production and remain in the building stage for between 8-10 weeks. Each customer will have the opportunity to follow the progress of their vehicle closely and witness their car come to life.

“One of our greatest strengths as a brand is our ability to be responsive and create a hand-built car which is truly bespoke to each customer. The Aero 8 has been a stalwart of Morgan production for almost 20 years, it offers an exceptional driving experience and unrivalled looks, further enhanced in Aero GT guise. Every Morgan is built to an exacting specification and is bespoke to each customer; their personality is displayed in every detail. Owners invest a great deal of emotion in choosing and tailoring their own perfect specification, this investment is rewarded at the first drive of their unique and exhilarating vehicle. The Aero GT is the ultimate ensemble of this formula.”

– Steve Morris, Managing Director

The price tag starts from £120,000 + local market taxes and design elements include brand new hand-worked body panels include wing top louvres and an aerodynamic enhancing rear diffuser, which has been tested extensively to reduce drag and significantly increase downforce. All 8 models will be manual transmission only and powered by the same BMW N62 V8 engine used in the Aero 8, travelling from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, reaching a top speed of 170mph with 367bhp and 370 lb per foot of torque. The aluminium chassis has been redeveloped to make it stiffer and they have introduced a new front and rear adjustable suspension to improve driving dynamics.

With a new soft-top option, the Aero GT’s also come with a carbon fibre hard-top option, which took inspiration directly from 1960s racing cars. The hard-top also has a rearward facing roof vent that reflects the rear graphic of the tail-light, improving the drag coefficient of the vehicle.

Taking inspiration from the aggressive aerodynamic profiles seen on Morgan’s remarkable 2009 GT3 race car, similar body styles were considered during the development of the Aero 8. As they were not put into production it allowed future exploration for the Aero GT, which have been put into use. Thanks to the research that went into the original Aero, the GT has unique aerodynamic improvements that will not only turn heads but also provide a noticeable difference in the performance of the car.

“The Aero GT, unlike its predecessors adopts an unconventionally aggressive aesthetic. However, a purist approach to achieving a design in which ‘form follows function’ has been rigidly adhered to. This is most apparent in the new additions to the bodywork.

The additional wing top louvres, side impressions and dramatic rear diffuser have all been tested extensively to ensure they work together to reduce drag and increase road holding capability. The merits of these additions were first unearthed during the early development phases of the 2015 Aero 8 whilst we were exploring the requirements of a more aerodynamically efficient Aero. This was a key requirement of the initial Aero 8 brief.

Each new panel has been sculpted by hand, by Morgan master craftsmen. The beauty of working so closely with talented sheet metal workers and coachbuilders is that designers are relatively unrestrained in their ability to challenge the forms and their functions. Unlike many, we can make special limited-edition vehicles that really exercise the imagination of the designer and the ability of the craftsman.

The Aero range has always offered Morgan the platform to explore the boundaries of mechanical and styling design and I am delighted the family has allowed one of our wildest ideas to become a reality.”